disputed lead, definite advantage 5f out, joined and strongly pressed from 2f out, soon ridden, in command final 100 yards, stayed on well
chased leading pair, closed to chase winner over 3f out, strong challenge from 2f out, every chance 1f out, weakened final 100 yards
always behind
held up in touch, headway to chase leading pair inside final 3f, one pace and no impression final 2f
took keen hold, chased leading trio, ridden 4f out, weakened quickly, tailed off
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, moderate headway over 3f out, soon ridden and no chance
held up in rear, always behind
slowly into stride, towards rear, no chance final 3f
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten
keen hold in mid-division, no chance final 3f
History Boy is weighted to win this but has been in desperate form just lately and preference is for Torrens, with Nawamees respected. The selection is not too badly treated on official ratings, is best over this trip and his general level of recent form is good in the context of this event, so with all those ticks we will give him the nod. Nawamees has been a useful hurdler in his time but has won only once in 40 starts on the flat, and that was many moons ago in France. He did go well over timber at Huntingdon recently but he is hardly one to lump on. History Boy would be the pick of these at the weights if he was running up to his mark, but he has finished last on his three most recent runs. If he does come back to form, then as a c&d winner he would be one to take seriously. Maria Antonia has plenty to find and a better proposition looks to be Escoffier, while Drizzi can run his race, but preference is for Torrens.
Nawamees (IRE) 11-1 (9-13) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 9l behind Kahara (8-7) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcap (4) gf in Sept.
Torrens (IRE) 4-5fav (9-5) Held up, effort and not clear run over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Mister Fizzbomb (8-12) at Catterick 1m 4f app clm (6) gd.
History Boy 8-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 21l behind Secret Liaison (9-7) at Salisbury 1m 2f clm (5) gs.
Drizzi (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 16, 17l behind Teodora Adivina (9-0) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Gateland 16-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden and weakened 3f out, 8th of 13, 12l behind Moonshine Bill (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 4f clm (6) gd in Sept '06.
Oscarshall (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 10, 15l behind Snow Dancer (8-4) at Pontefract 1m 3yo clm (4) gf.
Zaffeu 13-2 (9-10) Slowly into stride, pushed along over 3f out, always behind, 9th of 11, 14l behind Atlantic Gamble (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Feb.
Escoffier 14-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, not clear run over 3f out and lost place, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Carlton Scroop (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Itsy Bitsy 33-1 (9-7) Very slowly away, behind, never troubled leaders, 7th of 11, 11l behind Hareem (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f mdn stk (5) pol in Sept.
Star Berry 33-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 9, 20l behind Honorable Love (9-0) at Haydock 1m 3f fll hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Taran Tregarth 80-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, prominent, driven along 4f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 17l behind House Maiden (8-7) at Chester 1m 2f mdn fll (4) gd in Sept.
Maria Antonia (IRE) 11-2 (8-10) Started slowly, towards rear, headway over 2f out, took 3rd 1f out, not trouble front pair, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Mixing (8-12) at Brighton 1m 4f app hcp (6) gd.
